Makers of Tysabri Report Another Case of PML

As Americans prepared to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, another declaration was being proffered by the makers of Tysabri. Another case of PML (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) has been reported in a multiple sclerosis patient taking their drug.

Citing HIPPA regulations and international privacy concerns, nothing much is being said about the condition of the patient or a prognosis.

The company did, however, offer a one page summary of the use of the drug (both in the USA and abroad) as of March of this year along with rudimentary information of the 10 reported cases of PML.

I’ll not belabor the conversation of if/when to make a change to the drug. Most people have made their own decisions (and I am still in the process of making mine). PML is one of the factors to be considered, but only one.

Understanding of PML is far more advanced than it once was. It was once considered almost 100 percent fatal. How about now? According to the National MS Society:

There is no specific therapy to treat PML, but the best hope is to reconstitute a person’s immune responses. Based on small-scale studies supported by Biogen Idec, plasma exchange, a blood-cleansing treatment, has been used to clear the bloodstream of Tysabri. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether plasma exchange can reduce PML symptoms.

I heard the information as I returned from my holiday weekend and wanted to share.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trevis Gleason

Trevis L. Gleason is a food journalist and published author, an award-winning chef and culinary instructor who has taught at institutions such as Cornell University, New England Culinary Institute and...read more